Stories

Literature, philosophy, and history enrich our lives by allowing us to tell our stories, connect with one another, and make sense of our world. These subjects teach us how to think: to analyze language critically, to use evidence to make arguments, and to navigate an increasingly connected world. Not only are these the skills in demand in the workforce, but they make for a vibrant society. Here we put a spotlight on stories that show how the humanities touch our lives: from the role of the humanities in science and technology to recent studies on how language learning shapes the future of education.

“The arts and humanities define who we are as a people. That is their power—to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common.”

Michelle Obama

“The sciences are the how, and the humanities are the why. Why are we here, why do we believe in the things we believe in?”

George Lucas

“A knowledge of and appreciation of the humanities in general helps contribute to good citizenship.”

The Trump administration has released its proposal for the 2020 federal budget, and, unsurprisingly, it includes extensive cuts to funding for the Department of Education and education programs: $7.1 billion in cuts to be exact. As it has done in the past two years under this administration, and especially now with Democrats in control of...